Amsterdam

Unreal. That is the word I would use to describe Amsterdam. Everything about it was everything I watched in documentaries and read about in articles. From the "coffee shops" to the red light district and from the canals to the architecture, I was fascinated to say the least. 

After our interviews, Joy, Eddie and I got a flight out to Amsterdam to meet Abby, Conor, Rachael and Tommy there (would have been Janice too but she lost her backpack for a hot sec so she had to meet us the next day LOL)(they also had their interviews the day before so they left a few hours before we did). It legit felt like years being away from them so when we saw them in the restaurant across from Amsterdam Central, it was a VERY happy moment. You know, just 21 years old traveling across Europe and meeting up with my friends in different cities like I'm an adult or something. 

Once Janice got there Saturday afternoon, it felt complete. We were all ready to get this show on the road. We experienced everything there was to see and do in Amsterdam...the right way. Our flat was not too far from the center, about a 15 minute bus ride or so and it was perfect (thank you air bnb for not making us stay in a hostel).

The restaurants there were wild. Every single restaurant had every single thing you could possibly want to eat. They had the most literal names too. One was legitimately called "Pizzeria Steakhouse". In what world should there be a restaurant that is both a pizzeria and a steakhouse? A perfect world thats what SHOUT OUT TO AMSTERDAM.

Going to the red light district and seeing the prostitutes through the glass doors just waiting for men to come up to them was something I still cannot wrap my head around. The concept is INSANE to me. The legality and leniency of the use of weed and prostitution has definitely upped the ante (does that make sense?) for the use of other drugs. There were several occasions where people were passing out and not waking up in public places. Kind of scary actually. 

Aside from the crackheads passing out at the table next to me, Amsterdam is a beautiful place. It almost felt fake. This was basically the number one city I wanted to visit and I'm pumped I could make it happen. Now, please scroll down for the best story ever.

Our street.

Heineken Experience!

Tommy Sladek. Sweetheart, just doesn't have the best of luck (thank god though because it makes for a great story). So we are taking pictures of the Anne Frank house right? Tommy, Janice and I go up to get a closer shot of the house while Conor stayed back with the bags. Mind you that this house is right along the canal. Suddenly, we hear Conor say, "Tommy your bag!" We all look back and his suitcase is in the canal. Rolled right off the edge. H I L A R I O U S. He had about 5 seconds of panic until he decided to do the unthinkable. Jump in the canal (its about 30 degrees out) and get his suitcase like a man. So he did, and we filmed and took pictures of the whole thing while laughing so hard we were legit peeing ourselves. Kind of sad that Janice and I's first instinct was to get out our phones and document the whole thing. Sorry Tommy! But thanks for the great memory.